When it comes to domestic and international travel, there is no doubt some companies stand out as being the best first class airlines in the world.
Whether it’s the airplane hardware or the quality of the services offered on board, there are many factors that go into turning a stressful journey into a relaxing and enjoyable travel experience. Often a dream vacation or summer sojourn starts with discomfort and a lack of sleep, and holidaymakers are exhausted by the time they arrive at their destination. Luckily, a number of commercial airlines have taken the necessary steps to remedy this and have managed to create an in-flight experience that uplifts guests rather than dragging them down.
By offering comfortable seats and bedding as well as adding extra touchpoints, ranging from onboard cocktail bars and cinematic screens, the following airlines offer unique and enjoyable modes of travel in their first class cabins.
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American Airlines

The American Airlines first class reclining seat / ©American Airlines
Flying to over 70 different countries worldwide, as well as a variety of domestic destinations, American Airlines is always in the running when booking travel for your next trip. Luckily, its first class provisions are top-notch in the Flagship First cabin. Available on all Boeing 777-300 aircraft, the Flagship Suite Seat is fully reclinable and has guaranteed aisle access, with amenities and services engineered to fulfill every comfort.
American Airlines has partnered with the James Beard Foundation to ensure that the in-flight menu has been designed and approved by a team of professional chefs, with example dining options including Artichoke ravioli and dark chocolate budino. An excellent ground experience will also maximize ease of travel and movement, even during long-haul international flights. The Flagship First check-in and lounge (available in certain cities) provides fine dining, personalized service, a premium cocktail bar and wine table, as well as the opportunity for guests to have a shower and refresh before the next part of their journey.
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Delta Airlines

The Delta One Suite at sunset / ©Delta Airlines
Like American Airlines, Delta Airlines is a legacy carrier. As one of the more established commercial airlines, it is therefore typical and expected that it delivers a higher quality service than other companies, and the Delta One provision does not disappoint. Although the 180° flat-bed seats are found on all its normal models in first-class, the A350 and A339 flights now include the Delta One Suite, with full-height doors and dividers to allow for total privacy even in the company of fellow fliers.
The Delta Sky Club gives guests airport lounge access and Sky Priority accelerated check-in. It is notable that Delta has its own master sommelier, Andrea Robinson, who is in charge of curating the wine and spirits selection at the lounge bar (as well as the in-flight options). Regional wines are also promoted alongside the seasonal, local ingredients presented by the dining options. In this way, Delta One allows you to connect with a country’s cuisine and style before your feet even touch the ground.
British Airways

The new design at British Airways / ©British Airways
This esteemed carrier connects UK and US soil. If you’d like to enjoy a British afternoon tea before your arrival in London, the British Airways First Class dining and amenities options leave nothing to be desired on the 787-9 Dreamliner. With only eight seats compared to the usual 14, guests have plenty of space to stretch their legs and relax during the flight, or watch the latest movies and TV programs on the wide personal screen.
Even the ‘his & hers’ amenity bags are designed to reflect British tastes, provided by luxury skincare brand Elemis. Its a la carte ‘dine anytime’ menu includes canapes and signature dishes, such as Pan-fried stone bass and aged Herefordshire beef, served with contemporary crockery and heritage crystal glassware. Exclusive lounges are dotted across several key destinations, most famously the Concorde Rooms found at London Heathrow and New York JFK. Tastefully decorated and thoughtfully assembled, this lounge offers private cabanas and a contemporary business suite, enabling your travel between these two metropolitan hubs to be as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.
Hawaiian Air

The island tones of the Hawaiian Airlines first class cabin / ©Hawaiian Airlines
The team at Hawaiian Airlines describes their first-class cabins as the first taste of island life. Looking at the services on offer and the nature of the airplane’s hardware, that certainly seems to be the case. A menu prepared by chef Dell Valdez offers guests world-class cuisine with island flavors and ingredients – the mainland to Hawaii flights in particular showcase dishes such as Chicken shisomboca with soy yuzu capers and fried rice, and Portabello mushroom napoleon with tomato and lilikoi gastrique. Hawaii-made spirits and wines are selected by master sommelier Chuck Furuya.
There is also a clear emphasis on service motivated by warmth and hospitality. From the moment you leave the first class Plumeria Lounge on the ground and step onto the plane, guests will understand the Hawaiian hospitality concept of Aloha. Another nice touch is the real life recordings of the island’s native bird song and nature sounds that are provided as a sleep aid. It’s the little details that truly elevate this first class experience.
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Emirates

Emirates is well known for its luxury accommodations / ©Emirates
For an airline whose economy class already feels premium, it should come as no surprise that the UAE flagship airline won the World’s Best First Class 2020 Traveller’s Choice award. Once the door slides closed, the A380 Airbus’s reclining seat becomes your own private suite, complete with ambient lighting and a cinematic personal screen. The only downside of the on-board shower spa and cocktail lounge is that once the plane touches down, you won’t want to leave.
Say goodbye to strict dining schedules, as its a la carte dining system can be ordered at any point during the journey (provided that there is no turbulence, of course) and an extensive selection of wines and spirits are available to sample throughout the flight. Notable examples include a Chivas Regal 18 Year Old Scotch whisky and Dom Pérignon 2008 champagne.
Etihad
A smaller carrier than Emirates, Etihad has gone with a boutique approach to commercial flying. This has allowed it to get creative with its cabin design, and its A380 Airbus is complete with two ‘Apartments’ and ‘The Residence’, a mini-apartment in the sky with three separate living areas.
With a double bed and a separate sitting area, as well as a private bathroom, guests staying in The Residence will have a private butler service, bespoke menus arranged before the flight, and exclusive rooms within the airport lounge. The Etihad First Lounge is equipped with a fitness room, feature bar, clothes pressing service and shower facilities, a VIP room, and a dedicated host service for refreshments.
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United Airlines

The cool blue tones of the United Airlines first class / ©United Airlines
Another famous international carrier, the United Airlines first class experience allows guests to travel comfortably to domestic destinations and beyond. Its premium seating features stylish two-tone leather seats and granite cocktail tables, but comfort is not forgotten, and all seats come equipped with six-way adjustable and padded articulating cushions.
Through partnering with The Trotter Project, United’s executive chefs Gerry McLoughlin and Gerry Gulli have designed a fine dining menu that can be stunningly executed even at maximum altitude. The master sommelier, Doug Frost, works with the dining team to find the perfect wine pairings for the on-board cuisine.
Singapore Airlines

The single suite offered by Singapore Airlines / ©Singapore Airlines
When it comes to first class travel, Singapore Airlines is undoubtedly the star of the show. Like Etihad, the international airline is also embracing the opportunity for guests to travel privately. They even have an option for a divider between the rooms to be lowered, creating a double suite for those traveling in a pair. Exclusively available on the Airbus A380–800 aircraft, the Singapore Airline Suites creates such a cozy and personal experience that one may well feel as though they are traveling on their own private jet.
Designed by French luxury yacht designer Jean-Jacques Coste, the suites are kitted out with full-swivel chairs and a separate bed, finished in cream and brown and accented with ultra-leather padded compartments to recreate the feeling of a luxury hotel.
Of course, anyone who has flown with Singapore Airlines before will know that this comfort and luxury extends to the service and amenities. Its ‘Book the Cook’ service allows guests to reserve meals 24 hours before you fly, and there will be a choice of fine dining creations hand-selected by international culinary panels, all served on Wedgwood bone china tableware.
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